tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3722233.post113952301003163465..comments2020-06-04T08:02:51.746-04:00Comments on Computational Complexity: AdvisingLance Fortnowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06752030912874378610noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3722233.post-1139812613453068672006-02-13T01:36:00.000-05:002006-02-13T01:36:00.000-05:00http://magic.aladdin.cs.cmu.edu/2006/02/13/advisin...http://magic.aladdin.cs.cmu.edu/2006/02/13/advising-and-project-management/<BR/><BR/>I have a small idea to share but it's somewhat long.<BR/><BR/>MaverickAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3722233.post-1139709275679619142006-02-11T20:54:00.000-05:002006-02-11T20:54:00.000-05:00Oh, totally missed that :).This gets me to thinkin...Oh, totally missed that :).<BR/><BR/>This gets me to thinking: what are the best qualities for a researcher (advisor or student) to have?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3722233.post-1139686678518620732006-02-11T14:37:00.000-05:002006-02-11T14:37:00.000-05:00``I would have thought this isn't necessarily good...``I would have thought this isn't necessarily good role-modeling. I'd rather have a paper done a few days in advance of a deadline."<BR/><BR/>Yes, that was the point, it was something bad, just like sweeping a lot ``under the rug."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3722233.post-1139644093972695042006-02-11T02:48:00.000-05:002006-02-11T02:48:00.000-05:00If your student sees you furiously typing a paper ...<I><BR/>If your student sees you furiously typing a paper after dinner to meet a 23:59 pm EST deadline, chances are they will too.<BR/></I><BR/><BR/>I would have thought this isn't necessarily good role-modeling. I'd rather have a paper done a few days in advance of a deadline.<BR/><BR/>That not withstanding, great post!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3722233.post-1139623453702640162006-02-10T21:04:00.000-05:002006-02-10T21:04:00.000-05:00I thought that the point of the big-O notation was...I thought that the point of the big-O notation was to shove stuff under it. <BR/><BR/>But how much stuff? Only O(1).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3722233.post-1139594899447651662006-02-10T13:08:00.000-05:002006-02-10T13:08:00.000-05:00Set a good role model. This is easier said than d...Set a good role model. This is easier said than done.<BR/><BR/>If your student sees you furiously typing a paper after dinner to meet a 23:59 pm EST deadline, chances are they will too.<BR/><BR/>If you consistently display a habit of shoving details under the "big-Oh" or "it is not hard to see that" rugs, chances are they will too.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3722233.post-1139554626874809882006-02-10T01:57:00.000-05:002006-02-10T01:57:00.000-05:00I'd distinguish between two worrisome sorts of stu...I'd distinguish between two worrisome sorts of students. The first sort are the ones who slowly manage to get something done but never seem enthusiastic about anything. There it's worth having a conversation in which you suggest that perhaps another advisor, another subfield, or even another career might prove more satisfying. I certainly wouldn't advocate trying to drive these students away (make it clear that you recognize that they are making some progress, and are just worried that they don't seem happy). Sometimes someone just has a morose personality type, but wouldn't change a thing. Other times someone is miserable but feels trapped, and being supportive can help them make much better decisions.<BR/><BR/>The second sort of student is the sort who is terribly enthusiastic but may be over their head. That's an awfully hard case, since it doesn't seem right to let someone spend years in a Ph.D. program with little chance of getting the sort of job they want, but you don't want to crush someone's dreams unless you're absolutely certain. I honestly have no idea what to do here. I've seen some students eventually graduate (just barely) and then fail spectacularly on the job market, but I've seen others finally manage to prove everyone wrong by pulling off the project nobody thought they could complete.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3722233.post-1139546664141345842006-02-09T23:44:00.000-05:002006-02-09T23:44:00.000-05:00I would like to know more about that sort of stude...I would like to know more about that sort of students that have to do something else. Have you seen any student of this kind? Please write about this if you have seen any cases!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3722233.post-1139533354805457622006-02-09T20:02:00.000-05:002006-02-09T20:02:00.000-05:00Thank you for your careful response and the advisi...Thank you for your careful response and the advising suggestions. They are much appreciated, since I've started working with undergraduates on theory-ish projects.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com